Where you can see England’s World Cup match

Pub and venues across the dale are reporting major turnover boosts thanks to the Football World Cup.

Not only are more people coming out, but they are also spending more.

Middleton-in-Teesdale Sports and Social Club’s Raise the Roof fund for much needed repairs is looking healthier thanks to the scores of people who attend match nights, and not even a 2am kick-off on Sunday could keep punters away.

Ali Collinson of the club said: “The support has been fantastic from the very first group stage matches right through to the incredible 2am kick-off.

“The atmosphere has been amazing, and it’s been great to see so many people coming together to watch the games.”

The club will again be open for Saturday’s match, which is being promoted as family-friendly with games and activities for children.

Ali said: “It’s all about big screens, big belief, and creating a great matchday experience for everyone.”

So successful has been the World Cup for the Golden Lion in Barnard Castle that a new big screen has been put up in the beer garden.

Bryony Carter of the pub said: “It’s been really good. Every single game we’ve had, we’ve had people in.”

Judy Dowson also of the pub added that while only seven people had joined them for the 2am match when England beat Mexico, there had been more turnover than the previous Friday night.

On Saturday the Golden Lion will have live music in the form of the Revamps ahead of the game.

The Commercial Hotel will also have live music from 7.30pm.

The town’s cricket club is also cashing in and is preparing for a bumper crowd for the match against Norway.

Club chairman Dave Sparrow said: “We’ll have the match on the big screen in the function room plus the three TVs in the bar area. In the function room we will be setting out chairs in rows to enable as many fans as possible to watch on the big screen and availability will be on a first come, first served basis.”

Barnard Castle Sports & Social Club (formerly Glaxo Club) will be showing the match on six screens in total.

Fans can watch the match in the pool room, the main bar and the lounge and, for the duration of the game, all pints will cost £3.50.

In Staindrop, Louise Race is expecting to be busy at the Wheatsheaf as the England game follows the village carnival.

“The carnival is always our busiest day of the year, and having the football will keep people out later,” she said. “I just wonder how many people will fall asleep!”

After the delayed kick-off for the Mexico game, some locals found an unusual solution to stave off fatigue in the early hours.

“We had people coming in to play cribbage just to keep themselves awake before it kicked off,” Ms Race added.

However, the Old Well Inn on The Bank in Barnard Castle has not had as much footfall and decided not to open for the recent 2am match.

Rima Chatterjee of the Old Well said: “We had expected a much better response. We have screens and offers that are attractive but the response isn’t as expected.”